Bordeaux En Primeur 2019: Early Releases The Bordeaux 2019 En Primeur campaign is underway, albeit due to current circumstances much later than as usually expected. But what can we expect from the much anticipated 2019 vintage?
2019 was not a straight-forward year for Bordeaux winegrowers, with heatwaves, drought conditions and episodes of frost and hail to contend with it appeared as though the weather was unwilling to cooperate with this year’s harvest. However, the vineyards responded well to these challenges with early reports of fruit high in concentration and acidity brought on by the long hot, dry summer. So, it sounds as though we can expect 2019 to bring us a vintage of 'warm-year' wines, however, typical in Bordeaux-style with linear, refined tannins.
As the 2019 campaign kicks-off, we have pulled together a list of the early releases so far and their tasting scores for you to keep track of. All ratings provided are by Jane Anson, Author of Inside Bordeaux and Bordeaux correspondent/wine critic for Decanter.com
Château Palmer, Margaux
Château Palmer is a 3ème Cru Estate located in the centre of the Margaux appellation and is the top estate of the appellation after the prestigious Château Margaux. The opulent merlot-rich wines produced at Château Palmer regularly exceed expectations, and their quality often supersedes that of their grand neighbour.
Rating: 99 Points - Released by UK merchants at the equivalent price of £1,998 per 12-bottle case
Château Cos D’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe
Cos d'Estournel is a 2ème Cru estate in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of the Bordeaux. Among some of the best wines that can be found in Bordeaux today, Cos D’Estournel has established a prominence in the fine wine sphere for their distinctive and critically acclaimed wines.
Rating: 98 Points - Released by UK merchants at the equivalent price of £1,368 per 12-bottle case
Château LaFleur, Pomerol
Château LaFleur is a tiny property in the Pomerol appellation, situated across from the legendary Pétrus. This small estate produces wines of a marvelled quality, and they are regularly lauded by Robert Parker MW with inspiring reviews. Jane Anson said that Lafleur 2019 has the potential to get a perfect 100-point score.
Rating: 99 Points - Released by UK merchants at the equivalent of £5,800 per 12-bottle case
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Château Pontet-Canet is a 5ème Cru Estate in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, renowned for producing extremely popular and powerful wines. Over recent years their wines have consistently been of an extremely high quality and they are easily declared as one of the top non-First Growth Pauillacs.
Rating: 98 Points - Released by UK merchants at the equivalent price of £732 per 12-bottle case
Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac Leognan
Domaine de Chevalier is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, and is classified Grand Cru Classé de Graves in the Classification of Graves wine. It is one of the most famous Graves wines, producing both first-class red and white blends. In fact, Clive Coates names Domaine de Chevalier in the same league as the very best producers in Graves, Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion.
Rating: 95 Points - Released by UK merchants at £495 per 12-bottle case
Château Batailley, Pauillac
Château Batailley is one of the oldest estates of Pauillac and is honoured with a 5ème Cru classification. Today, the estate is recognised to offer some of the best wines from the Pauillac appellation at great value for money.
Rating: 94 Points - Released by UK merchants at the equivalent of £336 per 12-bottle case
[edit: new releases and ratings updated 08/06/20]
Château Lafite Rothschild, rated 98 points by Anson, was released at €396 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Cheval Blanc, rated 98 points by Anson, was released at €370 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Mouton Rothschild, rated 98 points by Anson, was released at €282 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Angélus, rated 97 points by Anson, was released at €230 per bottle ex-Negociant
Carruades de Lafite, rated 93 points by Anson, was released at €145 per bottle ex-Negociant
Le Petit Mouton, rated 94 points by Anson, was released at €138 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château L’Évangile, rated 99 (98-100) points by Anson, was released at €135 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Beychevelle, rated 94 points by Anson, was released at €52.80 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Gazin, rated 93 points by Anson, has been released at €50.40 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Léoville Poyferré rated 96 points by Anson, released at €49.20 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Duhart-Milon, rated 94 points by Anson, was released at €48 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Clerc Milon 2019, rated 95 points by Anson, was released at €48 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château d’Armailhac 2019, rated 93 points by Anson, was released at €28.8 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Branaire-Ducru, rated 93 points by Anson, was released at €28.20 per bottle ex-Negociant
Château Grand-Puy Ducasse 2019, , rated 92 points by Anson, was released at €22.2 per bottle ex-Negociant
